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2023 Golden Globe Awards Highlights

Michelle Yeoh's 'Shut up,' Ke Huy Quan in tears, Ukraine president's virtual appearance

By NICK GARCIA Published Jan 11, 2023 3:31 pm

The 2023 Golden Globe Awards just concluded, recognizing several standouts in the film and television industry last year.

The three-hour ceremony held in Los Angeles wasn't only about serious business, but also entertainment milestones, and, of course, "dogshow" moments.

Here are some of the highlights of this year's Golden Globe Awards.

A year of firsts

With Steven Spielberg's coming of age drama The Fabelmans winning best motion picture (drama), he becomes the first director to have helmed four winning movies in the category, following his E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Schindler’s List (1993), and Saving Private Ryan (1998).

Composer Justin Hurwitz also set a record by being the first composer to win three scoring accolades for movies directed by the same person. His work for Babylon by Damien Chazelle just won best original score (motion picture), following La La Land (2017) and First Man (2019).

Speaking of songs, Naatu Naatu from the Indian film RRR won the Best Song Motion Picture category at the Golden Globe Awards, making it the first ever Asian song to win a Golden Globe.

Zendaya and Amanda Seyfried also respectively took home their inaugural Globes as best actress in a television series or drama (Euphoria) and limited series, anthology series, or motion picture for made for television (The Dropout). They, however, were not present at the event.

Angela Bassett also won her first Golden Globe—in nearly three decades—as best supporting actress in a motion picture for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Her first was in 1994 as best actress for motion picture musical or comedy for portraying Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It.

Ke Huy Quan also bagged his debut Golden Globe as best supporting actor for Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Ke Huy Quan's emotional speech about never forgetting his roots

During his speech, Quan became emotional as he remembered his days as a child actor. He famously portrayed Short Round in Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984.

"I was raised to never forget where I came from, and to always remember who gave me my first opportunity," he said, giving Spielberg a shout-out as he's "happy" to see the director.

The teary-eyed Quan said he felt so lucky to have been cast for Temple of Doom, though cast doubts on himself as a grown actor.

"As I grew older, I started to wonder if that was it, if it was just luck," he said. "For so many years, I'm so afraid I have nothing more to offer."

"Thankfully, more than 30 years later, two guys remembered me. They thought of that kid, and gave me an opportunity to try again," he told directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Schienart.

In the absurdist multiverse movie, Quan portrayed Waymond Wang, the husband of co-laundromat owner Evelyn Wang portrayed by Michelle Yeoh.

Michelle Yeoh tells organizers to 'Shut up' amid cue to wrap up her speech

Yeoh took home the best actress in a motion picture (musical or comedy) for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once.

In her speech, Yeoh recalled her "amazing journey" to Hollywood, and the "incredible fight" to be part of the industry as an actress of color. She also noted how acting opportunities get smaller with age.

"I think it’s been worth it,” she said. “I came here and was told, ‘You’re a minority.’ And I’m like, ‘No, that’s not possible.'"

As the musical cue plays signaling Yeoh to wrap up her speech, she minces no words in owning the moment.

“Shut up, please," she told organizers. "I can beat you up, okay? And that’s serious," much to the crowd's delight. She went on to say her piece.

Yeoh concluded her speech by dedicating her award to all the shoulders she stands on, all who came before her, who looks like her, and all who are going on this journey with her forward.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech: 'There will be no third world war'

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a virtual appearance during the awarding ceremonies to deliver a "special message of peace."

Zelenskyy was introduced by Sean Penn, who had given the leader his Oscar trophy last November during a visit to Kyiv.

Addressing the audience, the president said there will be no third world war," amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine which is approaching its first year this Feb. 24.

"It is not a trilogy," Zelenskyy said. "Ukraine will stop the Russian aggression on Ukrainian land.”

Host Jerrod Carmichael fires shots at absentees Tom Cruise and Will Smith, as well as Kanye West

The show's host Jerrod Carmichael was trying to keep the audience entertained with jokes, but with a brand of humor that pokes fun at certain personalities.

Carmichael took a swipe at Top Gun: Maverick star Tom Cruise, who was absent during the awarding ceremonies. Cruise in 2021 returned his three Golden Globe trophies in protest of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's lack of diversity.

“Hey, guys backstage I found these,” Carmichael said while holding three trophies in his hand on stage. He jokingly proposed to exchange the trophies for the "safe return" of Shelly Miscavige, the wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige. Shelly has been out of the public eye for years, while Cruise is a member of the religion.

Carmichael also said Will Smith should win an honorary Rock Hudson Award for "displaying masculinity" on television, in an obvious reference to him slapping Chris Rock during the Oscars 2022. Rock Hudson was a heartthrob in the '50s who embodied masculinity in his roles.

The host also poked fun at Kanye West, who was canceled by several brands for his anti-Semitic views. Carmichael said he and West "watched" The Fabelmans, noting it "changed everything" for West.

Jerrod Carmichael tells Rihanna to take her time for her next studio album

Carmichael also gave a shout-out to singer Rihanna, who's in attendance with her partner A$AP Rocky. She's among the nominees for best original song (motion picture) with her Lift Me Up for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

"I'm gonna say something controversial. I will actually get in trouble for this," Carmichael said. "Rihanna, you take all the time you want on that album, girl."

"Don't let these fools on the internet pressure you into nothing!" he added, much to the delight of Rihanna.

Her last studio album was Anti in 2016.

But with Rihanna's Black Panther track, as well as headlining the Super Bowl halftime show in February, there have been anticipations about her new music this year.